Western Force’s star loose-forward Scott Fava has been dropped from the starting XV for failing an alcohol test following the 25-10 defeat against the Brumbies in the Vodacom Super 14 opening round.

Force and former All Blacks coach John Mitchell has introduced testing on the mornings following matches and Fava, who had been out socialising with his former Brumbies teammates and his wife, failed. He will start on the bench against the Hurricanes.

“I have just taken it on the chin about the testing – I’ve got my head around it, so it is all good,” Fava told AAP. “It was the unity council in the team, which includes me, that ruled that it (alcohol testing) was a good thing for our team and our culture, so I have got to abide by what was said and the standards. That is fine and I am totally aware of that.”

Fava said although he realised he had let down himself and the team, it provided an opportunity for one of Mitchell’s burgeoning squad.

“In a way, whoever is my replacement for this weekend is going to get a taste of what it is going to be like going in to a full-on game without me in the side,” Fava said. “Guys are going to get their opportunities, and it is going to set us up good as a squad.”

Force assistant coach John Mulvihill said Fava accepted the punishment.

“He’s taken it in his stride, he’s probably not happy about it but he’ll really use that determination to get into them [the Hurricanes] coming off the bench.”